Yasiel Puig caused a bit of a firestorm in the opener of a three-game series that marked the Los Angeles Dodgers first visit to Cleveland since 2003.
After hitting a two-run home run in the second inning to give the Dodgers an early lead, Puig flashed an obscene gesture to fans who were seated to the side of the dugout. Puig explained postgame that the fans were heckling him while he was in the on-deck circle and even after hitting the homer.
The 26-year-old, who’s endured his share of controversies, accepted ownership of his actions and expressed remorse over the incident. He was fined an undisclosed amount by MLB and received a one-game suspension.
Puig appealed the suspension and remained eligible to play since the June 14 announcement. According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, the one-game ban was rescinded on Tuesday night:
In a negotiated settlement, Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig’s one-game suspension has been rescinded and he instead will make a charitable donation.
MLB and the MLB Players Association reached an agreement for Puig to make the donation as opposed to carrying forward with the appeal process.
The settlement ensured Puig still has not been suspended during parts of five seasons with the Dodgers. Puig was investigated for an alleged domestic violence incident prior to the 2016 season, but an MLB investigation that concluded in March of that year determined it was unfounded.
Puig did not appear in the Dodgers’ win on Tuesday as he’s been limited in recent games by knee and hamstring trouble. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expects his outfielder to avoid the disabled list.
